LIC1B-Conclusion

=Long Island Creek Site 1B - Conclusion=

Site 1B is hidden beneath overgrown shrubs, situated at an elevation of 1054 ft above sea level, and nestled within a well established residential neighborhood. In fact, Site 1B is the headwater for the Long Island Creek watershed as well as the Chattahoochee watershed. The health of the inconspicuous stream plays a integral part in the health of Sandy Springs' rivers, streams, and ecosystems. This investigation provides evidence that the erosion-control procedures utilized clearly work. The English ivy and stone restoration have been proven to resist erosion and maintain stability over time, with little maintenance. The directly adjacent watershed in this site area is predominantly lawns and gardens. However, the larger perspective of the site shows much infrastructure and commercial development of impervious surfaces, resulting in feeding of rain water into Long Island Creek.

The chemical and physical results for Site 1B reflect the heat and pollution problems and were limited by the ephemeral nature of this stream. The following days brought extremely hot, dry weather, which further impacted data and the ability to collect data. Considering these facts, the pH balance for the two days of collection were 6 and 6, showing a small tendency toward higher acidity levels. The water temperatures were just within the healthy range, at 19 degrees Celsius, due to stream coverage by vegetation.However, the water temperature is influenced by runoff from paved surfaces and the ambient outside temperature. The Dissolved Oxygen levels measured 1.4 and 2.4 ppm on the first visit and 2.7 and 2.5 ppm on the second visit. The first Dissolved Oxygen reading results, which were taken just after a rain event, should have been at much higher levels, but were instead at hypoxic levels. In fact, the second site visit levels from the pool were on the edge of the healthy range. Conductivity measures the ability for the water to pass electric current and is defined in microsiemens per centimeters. Healthy levels are between 150 and 500 μS/cm. The readings from Site 1B were 80 and 80 μS/cm at the first site visit and 90 and 90 μS/cm at the second site visit. These readings indicate poor stream water conductivity.

The bacterial results show a Coliform count of 1533.3 on the first site visit and 1133.4 on the second site visit. The first site visit took place after a series of storms had passed through the area, which likely resulted in the higher coliform levels. Although the stream water had evaporated, the coliform levels actually lowered. The indications were that residential pet waste washed into the streams during the rain, elevating the coliform levels, and as the water pooled, the debris settled out.

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